David Cameron to Write for Local Newspaper Week

David Cameron is to write an article explaining why local newspapers are important to strong communities for this year's Local Newspaper Week.

The Prime Minister's article will be made available for local and regional newspapers to download and use during the Week which begins on Monday.

Also to be published is a survey of local and regional newspaper editors looking at their titles’ support for community groups and good causes.

Conducted by the NS in April, the survey asked editors about their titles’ support for community groups, local charities and societies; the impact of fundraising campaigns; and drives to increase local groups' volunteer numbers. 

Next Wednesday will also see the first Society of Editors Regional Press Awards held on the same day as the NS AGM.

The findings of the online survey are available under embargo on a new Research section of the Week website for editors to download and publish during the Week. 

This year, the Week is supported by a series of high profile spokespeople including Mr Cameron, Michel Roux Jr, Julia Bradbury, Adam Hart-Davis and Peter Preston.

Editors are gearing up for the Week by preparing supplements and pullouts. The Annandale Observer is to examine the notion of regional identity from the perspective of both the newspaper and its readers while the Wakefield Express is to link the Week to its new reader surgeries.

Some titles are running writing competitions, in conjunction with the NCTJ, for budding journalists who are being asked to submit short articles for a shot at a cash prize and a week’s work experience.